Introduction--Monday, October 18th

  • Political Introduction
  • Answer these questions (some are opinion, others can be found online).
    1. How do you feel this country is doing as a whole? Explain
    2. How do you feel this state is going as a whole? Explain
    3. Do you think the elections taking place in 2 weeks will bring change? Explain
    4. Do you think elections in states other than ours’ matter? Explain
    5. Who is currently running for Governor in Michigan?

    a. Which party do they belong to?
    b. What are 3 facts about each candidate?

    c. Who would you vote for if you could (based on what you know right now)?

The world of Political Advertising has changed over the years but not as much as you might expect it to. Through this unit, we will explore how different elections have used advertising to get the votes out.


TASK 1--First Ads:

The first Presidential campaign that made use of television advertising was the Eisenhower-Stevenson race in 1956. These first attempts were clumsy.

In 1964 the Johnson campaign pioneered the modern and more sophisticated use of television during this Presidential election.

The following ad was a commercial that aired ONE time on September 7, 1964 as a paid ad by the Democrats. The voice at the end is that of President Johnson.



Answer these questions in your Politics Document (Label it as TASK 1):
  1. Was this a positive, message based commercial or a negative, attack-based commercial?
  2. What was it about this commerical that made it so controversial?
  3. What was it about this commerical that made this ad so effective?

Information on the Daisy Ad:
  • This ad was so controversial that the Republicans filed a complaint with the Fair Campaign Practices Committee and demanded for the immediate removal of the ad.
  • Though this commercial only aired ONCE it was aired over and over again on news programs.
  • This gave the ad more publicity than was orginally paid for.
  • Over 40 million people saw this ad during the campaign.
  • To this day, the "Daisy Girl" ad remains one of the most controversial political commercials ever shown.


TASK 2--Modern Ads:

In the 1988 Bush vs Dukasis presidential race, another controversial ad ran. This ad was orginally played on cable channels and was then replayed on nightly newscasts, often without the audio voice over.

Video without Audio

Video with Audio:



Answer these questions in your Politics Document (Label as TASK 2):
  1. What feelings and impressions did you get while watching these images without sound?
  2. Did the voiceover of the ad make this commercial more powerful?
  3. What impressions and emotions did you feel while watching this ad with sound?

Information on the Revolving Door Ad:
  • The news media made the negativity the top story during this election.
  • This ad was paid for by "Americans for Bush", part of the the "National Security Action Committee" and was not paid for by the Bush campaign.

"It's 3am...." Ad (2008)

This commercial aired for Hillary Clinton during the Democratic Primary in 2008 again Barack Obama.






It's Morning Again in America



Answer these questions in your Politics Document (LABEL AS TASK 3). This is dealing with ALL of the ads we looked at in class.
Make sure to be specific and give examples to support your opinions.
  • What is similar about all the ads?
  • What stood out to you?
  • Why were they considered effective?


ASSIGNMENT 1--Research:

Using reliable internet sources, review the differences in Political Party Platforms (there are currently 2 major parties in this country but there is also a new an upcoming party that is affilitated with one of the current parties). Create an 8-10 slide PowerPoint presentation highlighting the information your found. When you search Email to ferrer01@southredford.net when completed.

Research Part 2:
Using the internet (YouTube, Google Videos, their campaign sites...) find a campaign ad for Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero. Email and tell Mrs. Ferris about the ad, if the ad was a postive or negative ad and what stood out to you.



ASSIGNMENT 2--



ASSIGNMENT 2--Note taking:

Complete guided note taking document provided in class using the information found in this link to the "The :30 Second Candidate". Email your completed guide to ferrer01@southredford.net when completed.